ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said when paramedics arrived on the scene they found the fire services already in attendance.

“Fire services had already extinguished the burning vehicle, which was found lying on its side. Paramedics assessed the scene and found that approximately 20 children had been inside the vehicle when it collided with the truck,” he said.

“Once the flames had been extinguished, paramedics found the children lying trapped inside the vehicle. Unfortunately, nothing could be done for the children and they were declared dead on the scene. Several other children were found on the scene. It is believed that these children had been pulled out of the taxi by members of the community.”

He said that paramedics assessed the children and found that seven children had sustained injuries raging from minor to critical. They were treated on the scene before they were taken to hospital for further medical treatment.